OVERLAND TOUR

Overview: Your journey will begin in Srinagar - enjoy the unique experience of House boat, drive across Zojila the gate way to Ladakh then enter into Kargil, unique culture of Shia Muslim, visit 2nd century rock carved of maître ay Mulbekh, cross over Fotola highest pass between Leh and Srinagar, finally reach Leh once used to be trading centre of central Asia, enroute visit Lamayuru and Alchi monasteries, explore the magic lake of Pangong and Nubra valley. Later, enjoy the most magnificent road Journey from Leh to Manali.

Highlights: Dal Lake, Sonamarg, Kargil, Mulbekh, Lamayuru, Alchi, Magnetic hill Gurudawara Pathar Sahib, Likir, Leh town, Shanti stupa, Shey Thiksey Hemis Pangong lake, Khardung-la world’s highest motorable road, Nubra valley, Sarchu, More Plains, Tang Lang La, Keylong, Rohtang pass & Manali

DAY 01: ARRIVE SRINAGAR

Arrival at Srinagar. Airport, transfer to Hotel/ Houseboat, evening Shikara ride and overnight stay at Hotel/ Houseboat.

DAY 02: SRINAGAR–SONAMARG–KARGIL: 250 kms/7 Hrs

Depart from Srinagar by early morning. Drive to Sonamarg is another spectacular facet of countryside in Kashmir in Sindh Valley. The Sindhu Valley is the largest tributary of the valley of Kashmir. Road passes through the panoramic village to reach Sonamarg (2740 Mtrs). After Sonamarg, road is relatively rough & wet. Cross Zojila at 3527 mts. In a short distance of 25 kms, you are climbing steep 785 mts. Zojila marks dramatically the boundary line between Kashmir and Ladakh. Greenery will fade away & barren land will suddenly appear with Multi-coloured mountains all around. Even the air will become colder, dryer and purer though perceptibly lower in oxygen content. The intensity of light doubles while the sky turns an incredible blue.

From Zojila the road descends to the flowering meadow of Minamarg a botanist's paradise, abounding in a wealth of exotic alpine flora. Other end of the meadow leads to Dras, where temperatures drop to below minus 50°C during winter. This is the second coldest inhibited place in the world. Enormous snowfalls and severe winds during winters completely immobilise its inhabitants.

Along the Dras river, passing Kaksar, one moves towards Kargil, the journey showing remarkable evidence of indigenous engineering - water channels cut deep into the granite slopes, rising terraces of carefully nurtured soil preciously preserved between vertical walls of rocks and boulders, several plantations and green fields at Channi Gund and Kirkit Chu with groves of poplar, willow, apple and apricot orchards, barley and buckwheat fields, all lending an air of serenity to the area. Situated on the bank of river Suru at a height of 2710 mtrs, midway between Srinagar and Leh, Kargil provides an overnight stop.

Kargil is an important junction of the historic routes leading to Kashmir, Baltistan, Afghanistan, Central Asia, Sinkiang, Tibet and via Zanskar to Jammu and Himachal. It was and continues to be an important trade and tourism centre. All treks to Zanskar, Himachal, Jammu and the Indus valley, as well as mountaineering expeditions to Nun and Kun (twin peaks at a height of over 7,000 metres) begin from Kargil. Climatically, Kargil enjoys a distinct advantage over the rest of Ladakh. Food, fruits, fuel and timber are more easily available with two crops being harvested every year. Kargil retains the characteristics of a medieval town with narrow alleys cobbled streets and curios right out of the Arabian Nights. Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 03: KARGIL–ULEYTOKPO-ALCHI–LEH: 230 kms/6 Hrs

Depart from Kargil after early Breakfast, en-route visiting the monastery of Mulbekh & Lamayuru (Moon landscape). Drive through Namkila & Fatula, the highest pass on the Srinagar- Leh road and proceed to Ulleytokpo. Later drive to 1000 year old Alchi monastery the only Gompa in Ladakh region situated on flat ground. Thereafter proceed to the Likir Monastrey to visit the splendid three storeys Dharma Wheel Gompa. Here you'll be impressed with the sight of the massive Buddha statues. Later visit Indus & Zanskar river Sangam. Drive along the Indus river visiting, Pathar Sahib Gurdwara and Magnetic Hill (where the cars defy gravity), Basgo Palace (by hiking only) and further on to Leh Hall of Fame (which has a museum of the Kargil War memorabilia). Overnight stay at the Hotel.

DAY 04: LEH–KHARDUNG LA–NUBRA: 170 kms/5 Hrs

After Breakfast drive to Nubra Valley via Khardungla (Highest Motorable road in the World, 18,380 ft). Arrive at Hundur by Afternoon. Post noon explore Hunder Village and camel Safari in Sand Dunes between Deskit and Hunder Village. Overnight stay at the camp / guest house in Nubra.

DAY 05: NUBRA-TURTUK–NUBRA: 170 kms/5 Hrs

After Breakfast visit Turtuk. The village offers views of the Shyok Valley. Though a Muslim village, there are a few gompas located on the plateau above the Shyok River and there is an old royal house to see in the village. Overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 06: NUBRA–PANGONG: 280 kms/6 Hrs

After early Breakfast leave for Pangong Lake (14,500 ft – the highest land locked lake), through Changla Pass 17,350 ft. The Lake is shared by two countries India & China. Enjoy the beauty of changing Colors of fascinating high altitude of the Lake. Overnight stay at the camp/guest house.

DAY 07:PANGONG-LEH: 230 Kms/6 Hrs

After breakfast, we drive to Hemis Monastery which is the largest and the wealthiest monastery in Ladakh. From Hemis, you are driven to visit Thiksey Monastery, located on a hill-lock with formidable views of the Indus valley. Thiksey is especially noteworthy for its gigantic seated statue of the Maitreya and is also known for its (Dukhang) assembly hall which houses hundreds of rectangular prayer books, stacked between wooden covers and bound in silk. Later visit Shey Palace the former summer palace of the King of Ladakh, 3 Idiots School Campus & Sindhu Darshan site visit. Overnight stay at the hotel

DAY 08: LEH–TSOMORIRI: 225 kms/6 Hrs

After Breakfast we drive towards Tsomoriri lake in Changthang region of Ladakh, which is one of the most beautiful, calm, and sacred (for Ladakhis) high altitude lakes in India. It is entirely in Indian territory. This beautiful blue pallet lake is about 7 km wide at its broadest point and about 19 km long. Overnight stay at camp.

DAY 09: – TSOMORIRI-SARCHU: 240 Kms/7 Hrs

After Breakfast Drive from Tsomoriri to Sarchu, en-route crossing Taglang La Pass, 110kms from Leh (Tanglang pass, which is at a height of 5350 mts and is the second highest motorable pass in the world), Lachulung La pass (88kms from Taglang La Pass) at 5,065 m (16,616 ft), Nakee La pass (20kms from Lachulung La) at 4,739 m (15,547 ft), continuous drive to Sarchu (37kms). Sarchu is the last inhabited point in Himachal Pradesh on the Manali -Leh route- which is regarded as one of the highest highways in the world. Overnight at Camp in Sarchu.

DAY 10: SARCHU–BARALACHA LA-ZINGZING BAR–DARCHA–JISPA–ROHTANG–MANALI: 240 Kms/7 Hrs

Distance is about 240 kms / take around 8 hrs to travel

After breakfast drive to Manali. En-route we cross Baralacha La Pass (40kms from Sarchu) 5,030 m (16,500 ft), Zingzingbar (18kms from Baralacha La pass) 4,270 m (14,010 ft) after drive to Darcha. Drive towards beautiful village of Jispa (10kms from Darcha). This village is situated at the junction of two nullahs with the main river Bhaga. Jispa has a very large dry river-bed, a rarity in Lahaul. Proceed to Rohtang Pass 3978 mts. This pass is one of the highest road point and gateway to LAHAUL and SPITI valley. Pass remains closed during winter due to heavy snow from November end to May end. From here drive towards Manali (52kms). Arrive at Manali and overnight stay at Hotel.

DAY 11: – MANALI AIRPORT DROP

Land Package Cost:

Rates quoted below are per person basis (IN INR) – subject to 2 adults sharing a room
Rates are subject to change without prior notice
Rates are valid till October 2020
GST 5 % additional

Hotels Envisaged:

Inclusions:

• Assistance upon arrival and departure
• Accommodation on Twin sharing basis as per itinerary listed above or similar
• Return airport transfer along with all sightseeing by Non- Ac Innova / Xylo
• Meal Plan: Breakfast & Dinner
• Environmental, Wild life & Red cross Fee.
• 30 mins Shikara Ride in Dal Lake

: For more details, contact – info@crimsonholidays.in; aravind@crimsonholidays.in
: Call to us: +91 990000 4025 / +91 821763 9425